Thermal-controlled circulating system



C. L. RAYFIELD.

THERMAL CONTROLLED CIRCULATING ASYSTEM. APPLICATION mw M1225, |916.

lllllllllll Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

i the engine stops,

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. BAAYFIELD, OF CHICAGO,v ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB T0 FINDEISEN &KBOPF MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COBP'OBATION OFILLI- NOIS.

THERMAL-CONTROLLED CIRCULATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Application inea December 2e, 191e. serial No. 138,865.

To all Iwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. RAYFIELD, a citizen of the United Statesof America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermal-Controlled Circulating Systems, of which the followin is aspecification.

vMy invention relates to an 'improvement in thermal-controlledcirculating systems, particularly for internal combustion engines, andthe objects of my improvement are, rst, to provide a constructionwherebyto prevent a cooling medium circulating through the radiator ofan automobile immediately to conserve the heat in the liquid whichsurrounds the engine cylinders, and thus obviate heat transferfrom thecooling medium through the radiator to the atmosphere; second, to affordmeans for the regulation of the degree of heat at which a. thermalelement will make voperable additional means for changing the path oftravel of the cooling medium; third, the provision of thermal-controlledmeans to operate a valve to permit'the passage lof a force to actuatethe additional means for operating a valve disposed in the path of`travel of the cooling medium which additional means is operable onlyupon andgafte'r the -cooling medium has reached a predetermined degreeof heat and during the continuancedn opera. tion 'of the engine; fourth,the production of suitable parts' to get the temperature of the enginecooling medium up to say` 179 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit` as quickly aspossible, and to maintain such temperature as longI as possible afterthe engine is shut down; fifth,

to produce a structure suitableto automatically supply water vapor orother fluid, af` ter bein-g heated, to the fuel mixturefto preventpre-ignition and -to minimize carbonization of the motor.

With the above and o ther'objects in view, my invention consists in thenovel features, and in the -novel mode of operation, and in the novel.combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification, and particularlypointed out in the claimshereunto'appended.

Figure 1 is a side elevationof the front end 'of an automobile with theWorking parts assembled.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section .with the parts shown in normalpositions.

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of a modified form of mounting andoperation of the valve in the cooling medium passage.

Like numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In' the embodiment chosen to exemplify my present inventioh, broadlystated,there is an automobile as-engine of the water cooled type and ara iator with suitable pipe connections between the radiator andtheliquid passages in the water-jackets of the en `nel cylinders withthermal-controlled va vemechani'sm disposed in the liquid circuit andhaving a thermallcontrolled member which at 4the predeterminedtemperature of the cooling medium renders operative a. force to actuatean additional member to' open a. valve normally opposed to the passageof the cooling medium toI or from the radiator. In cases Where itmayflbe desired the so-called additional member? is employed to governthe flow of water vapor or other fluid through properconduit from asource' of liquid supply into a fuel mixing chamber.

, The engine cylinders lFare provided with waterjackets 5, fuel intakemanifold 6, carbureter 7, radiator 8, pipe 9, from the lower end of theradiatorto the' p'ump 10, water"- intake pipe 11 from the pnmp 10 tothek water-jacket, 5, water outletinanifold 1,2, a section of flexiblepipe 13, continuing the Water outletfto and connected with athermal-controlled valve-mechanism in the casing 14. and pipe-15.connecting the casing 14 with theupper end of the radiator 8, and aiexible by-'pas's /pipe 16 connected to the .nipple 2O ofthe device 14at one vend and attached at itsl opposite end to the pipe 9.

The pipe 17-is connected at the point 18 of the valve mechanism 14, andat 19 with the fue] intake manifold 6.

The casing 14 is composed of upper and `lower portions X, Y, securedtogether through their externally flanged portions by screws 21 'orother preferredmeans and thel two portions afford suitable housing forthe thermal element 22 and the mechanical element 25 contained therein.

lio

The nipple 24 is formed at the intake end and the nipple 25 is formed atthe discharge end of the lower portion Y of the casing 14, which,preferably is tubular in form and somewhat enlarged adjacent theposition of the thermal element 22. The upper portion X of the casing 14preferably is cylindrical to conform to the diaphragm or mechanicalelement 23.

For the performance of mechanical work, I employ what is termed adiaphragm or mechanical element 23 which preferably consists of a numberof thin sheets or disks 26, preferably of flexible metal, each diskhaving an axial Opening 27 therethrough, except the last one, and eachdisk having its inner edges 25 and outer edges'29 annularly flangedoppositely, and secured to gether at the inner and outer flanged edges,but in a manner free to yield to pressure on one side or the other,particularly to yield to the influence of a partial vacuum or the.d`1rect expansive force of a fluid under compression, after a slightmodification of the f structure herein set forth, for the purpose ofutilizing the contraction or expansion of the Aelement 23 to givemovement to anything fixed to the last one 30 of theseries of disks,especially to by-pass the cooling medium from the normal course throughthe radiator wheneven the engine stopped; and, when desired, to overnthe flow of water vapor or other fluid to be incorporated with the fuelmixture after such vapor or other fluid hasreached a predetermineddegree of heat.

On reference to the drawing, in Fig. 2, it will appear every other airchamber 31 is hermetically sealed, and every other open air space 32will permit contraction and ex pansion of the hermetically sealed airchambers 31. The stem 33 is fixed at 34 to the outer surface of the disk30 by solder, brazing or the like, and terminates in a flattened portion35 to which is pivoted link 36 having its outer end 37 in operativeengagement with the bell crank 38 which is carried by the walls of thetubular` the butter fly valve 39, fulcrumed at 40 in ortion Y. Aresilient member 41 is attac ed at one end to the arm 42 of the bellcrank carried by the valve 39 and at the other end to the post 43 andconstantly7 Vurges the valve 39 to closed position. The link 36 ismovable in the openin 44.

The ars 45 are provided with bore 46 to receive the plug 47 which has abore 48 to receive the stem 33. The plug 47 is threaded at its lowerend.49 and is made air tight by the employment of nut 50 and gasket 51.

Should the user want to' introduce water 'vapor into the carbureter tobe incorporated with the fuel mixture it is only necessary to extendupwardly the plug 47, form an annular recess 52 in the stem 33, form apassage thin sheet metal spun hollowi construction i having a chamber 60filled with a liquid l1av ing a high coefficient of expansion, such asalcohol or a more volatile liquid, if preferred. At its lower end thereis a boss 61 fixed centrally to the outer end wall of the chamber 60 andsupported by the rod 62 which is in engagement with the inner wall ofthe tubular portion of the part Y of the casing 14. The head 63 of theelement 22 is in threaded engagement with the stem G4 which is mountedfor movement in the bore 65 in the thickened wall 66 of the upperportion X of the casing 14. The bore 65 and the passage 58 intersectnear the upward end of the former and the outward end of the latter. 0nsuflicient expansion of the i liquid in the element 22 stem 64 will beforced upwardly enough for the annular recess 67 to register with thepassage 58. The element 22 being fixed at its lower end the stem 64being mounted for movement in its bore, any sufficient expansion of theliquid in the element 22 will result in operation of the stem 64 as themovable member of a valve to govern the outward or linward flow of afluid through the passage 58 and aper ture 59. Immediately onsuiiciently lowering the temperature of the liquid in the thermalelement 22, contraction will ensue and the stem 64 will shut off ingressor egress of any force or influence upon the element 23 and the smallperforation 71, in the wall of the passageway 58, will relieve thevacuum or pressure, as the case may be, in the element 23, and permitthe power exerted by the resilient member 41 to close the liquid valve39, and thus by-pass the oool inggmedium from entering the radiator 8.

y the use of a proper tool applied at 68, 'the stem 64 may be lengthenedor shortened ris to change the degree of temperature at which the forcenecessary to operate the mechanical element 23 will be admitted into thepassage 58and through the aperture Generally speaking, the coolingmedium should be raised to from 170 to 180 de rees F. before the stem 64and its annu ar recess 67 will register with the passa e 58.

n the foregoing description I have disclosed a complete and operableconstruction comprising a valve 39, which is disposed in a liquidpassage, mechanical means in oper ative relation to the valve, and athermal element operative to admit and exclude a force to operate themechanical element and its liquid valve '39. However, should the userautomatically operate means to permit the introduction of water vapororother fluid to the fuel mixture, it is only necessary to employ theplug 47 construction from the gasket 51 upward, as hereinbeforedescribed, otherwise such construction of the plug 47 may be omittedwithout in any manner interfering with the propel' functions of theother parts.

The pipe 17 which is connected at 19 in a manner to employ 'the force ofpartial vacuum or suction of the piston in the engine cylinders exerts apower to collapse the diaphragm or mechanical element 23 when notexcluded by the stem 64 of the thermal element 22.

I do not limit my invention to the employment of such force but considerthat I am entitled to the use of compressed `air for the operation ofthe mechanical element 23 with slight modifications in structure.

In Fig. 3 is a slightly modified form of the lower engaging end of thelink 36 with the ear 69, and the apertured ear 70 of the valve 39 forattachment of the resilient element 41, when a fluid under Vcompressionis employed for operation of the valve 39.

In operation, when no vapor means is used, or some other means forsupplying 1 vapor or other fluid to the fuel mixture is v employed, thethermostat 22, and the me# chanical element or diaphragm 23, consti`tute complete means for automatically operating valve means to by-pass acooling me- ,dium from circulation through a radiator until thetemperature of'the liquid medium is raised to 170 to'180' degreesFahrenheit or immediately the engine is stopped.

When the engine is first started the flow of the cooling medium isthrough the pump 10, pipe 11, water-jackets 5, outlet manifold 12,through nipple `24, imparting heat to the thermal-element 22, and outthrough nipple 20, and through pipe 16 to the pump 10, and so on. Whenthe expansive liquid within the element 22 is sufficiently expanded thestem 64 is moved enough to register the annular recess 67 withthepassage 58 when the partial vacuum created in the pipe 17 byoperation ofthe pistons in the engine cylinders, when the diaphragm 23will collapse and open the valve 39, and the cooling medium will bepermitted to pass through the radiator.

Obviously at once the engine is stopped the resilient member 41 willclose the valve `39 Vand normal condition of the parts will again beestablished.

Should the user want to employ the movement of the stem 33 to govern theflowv of water vapor or other fluidto the zone of fuel mixture, the plug47 is formed as indicated, Fig. 2. When the influence of a partialvacuum exhausts the air from the interior of the diaphragm 23 throughthe passage 58 and the aperture59, the stem 33 will be upwardly to aposition of register of the annular recess 52 and the passage 53 throughthe plug 47, when a' water vapor or other iuid from a source of supplywill pass through the pipe 55 into the zone of fuel mixture 'to beincorporated with the fuel which passes from the carbureter into theintake manifold 6 into the engine cylinder or cylinders. Promptly onstopping the engine, the iniiuence of vacuum will cease and the sourceof vapor or other fiuid will be closed liy the stem 33.

Should compressed air be preferred and the operation of the member 23 bereversed in addition to the changes in 'the structure shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings, the annular recess 52 in the ,stem 33 will be positionedabove the passage-53 instead of below it as shown, and in such case asource of compressed air supply will be provided.

It'will be noted l have pro-vided means including a valve to permit thecooling medium to flow through an auxiliary channel when the engine isnot in operation, instead of pursuing the usual or direct course throughthe main or normal channel.

It will be understood considerable variation and change is possible inthe details of the construction thus specifically shown and described,and I do not intend by illustratingr a single, specific or preferredembodiment of my invention to` be limited thereto; my invention being inthe appended claims to secure protection upon all the novelty there maybe in my invention as broadly as the state of the art will permit.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters-Patent, is: y

1. In a thermal-controlled circulating system, the combination of anengine rylin der and a vvaterja :ket therefor, fuel feeding means, meansincluding a radiator for supplying a cooling mediuluto the waterjacket,means including a valve to by-pass `the cooling medium through anauxiliary channel when the engine is not in operation` a diaphragmnormally inoperative and connected with the valve, and u thermal elementhaving an independent valve for rontrolling the operation of thediaphragm.

2. In a tluu'lnal-controlled circulating sys tem, the combination of aplurality of engine cvlinders each having a water-jacket therefor. fuelfeeding means. means including a radiator for supplying a cooling mediumto thewater-jackets. means including a valve to by-pass the coolingmedium through an auxllo tive and connected with the valvepa thermalelement having an independent valve to control the passage Yof a forceto operate the diaphragm.

3. In a thermal-controlled circulating system the combination ofaplurality of engine cylinders each having a water-jacket therefor, fuelfeeding means, means including a radiator for supplying a coolingInedium to the water-jackets, means including a valve to by-pass thecoolingr medium through an auxiliary channel when the en'- gine is notin operation, a diaphragm normally inoperative and connected to saidvalve, a source of power to operate the diaphragm and its valve and anindependent thermal element to render operative said source of power toactuate said diaphragm.

4. In a thermalcontrolled circulatin system, the combination of aplurality o cylinders each having a water-jacket theref fir, fuelVfeeding means, means including a radiator for supplying a cooling mediumto the WaterA jackets.` means for forcing the cooling medium through thewater-jackets of the cylinders, means including a valve to b v-pass thecooling medium through an auxiliary channel when the engine is not inoperation, a diaphragm normally inoperative and connected with thevalve, a thermal element having a separate valve to control a force tooperate the diaphragm.

5. In a thermal-controlled circulating system, the combination of aplurality of engine cylinders each having a water-jacket therefor, fuelfeeding means, means including a radiator for supplying a cooling mediumto the Water-jackets, means for forcing the cooling medium through theWaterjackets of the cylinders, means including a valve to by-pass thecooling medium through an auxiliary channel when the engine is not inoperation. a diaphragm normally inoperative `and connected to saidvalve, a source of 'power to operate the diaphragm and its valve and auindependent thermal element to render operative said source of power toactuate the diaphragm.

(S. In a thermal controlled circulating system, the combination of aplurality of engine cylinders each having a water-jacket therefor, fuelfeeding means` means including a radiator for supplying a cooling medium to the water-jackets, means forcing the cooling medium throughthewater-jackets of the cylinders, means including a valve to by-pass thecooling medium through an auxiliary channel when the engine is not inoperation, a diaphragm normally inoperative and connected to said valve,a source of power to operate the diaphragm and its valve. a thermalelement to render operative said source of power to actuate thediaphragm, means for supplying Water vapor so as to be combined with thefuel mixture,

and lvalve means carried by the diaphragm to govern the flow of watervapor to the'fuel mixture according to heat conditions of the vapor. y

7. In a thermal-controlled circulating system, the combination with aplurality of internalcombustion engine' cylinders each having awatenjacket therefor and a radiator having cooling medium circulatingconnection with the Water-jackets of a casing having a plurality ofoutlets and having wit-hin a dlaphragm normally inoperative, a valvewithin the casing and connected to the diaphragm, a source of power tooperate the diaphragm and its valve, and a thermalelement to renderoperative said source of power to actuate the diaphragm.

8. In a thermal-controlled circulating system, the combination with aplurality of internal combustion engine cylinders each having aWater-jacket therefor and a radiator, and cooling medium circulatingoonnection with the Water-jackets, ofs a casing having a liquid conduittherethrough, a

valve in the vconduit and normaily sprm' closed, a diaphragm Within thecasin an in operative engagement with the va ve, a source of power tooperate the diaphra m .and its valve,` a thermal element to ren eroperative said source of. power to actuate the diaphragm and suitablemeans to supply such power.

9. In a thermal controlled circulating system, the combination with aplurality of internal combustion engine cylinders each having awater-jacket therefor and a radiator and cooling medium circulating connection with the water-jackets, of a casing having a liquid conduittherethrough, a valve .in the conduit, a resilient member mounted toconstantly urge the valve to closed position, a diaphragm in operativeengagement with the valve, and thermal operated means to admit andexclude a force to actuate the diaphragm.

10. In a 'thermal-.controlled circulating system, the combination with aplurality of 4internal-combustion engine cylinders each having aWater-Jacket therefor and a rad1- ator and cooling medium circulatingconnection with the Water-j adkets, ofv a casing having a ronduittherethrough,`a valve in the conduit, a-diaphragm in operativeengagement with the valve, a fluid passage from the interior of thediaphragm outwardly, a thermal element, Within the casing, having avalve stem in threaded engagement'therewith and intersecting said fluidpassage to control, a force through said passage to opcrate thediaphragm.

l1.` In thermal-controlled valve means, a diaphragm operable by partialvacuum,

,means to exhaust the air from the diaphragm and an independentlyoperable thermal element carrying the movable member of a valve, forcontrolling the operation of the diaphragm. p

12. In thermal-controlled valve means, a casing having a liquid conduittherethrough and a plurality of liquid outlets, a diaphragm and athermal element within the casing and a source of power to voperate thediaphragm.

13. In thermal-controlled valve means, a casing having a liquid conduittherethrough and a plurality of outlets therefrom, a valve in theconduit, means to constantly urge th'e valve to closed position, adiaphragm in operative engagement with the valve, a fluid passage fromWithin the diaphragm to the outside of the casing, a thermal elementhaving valve means to control the flow`of a fluid through said passageto operate the diaphragm and its valve.

14. In thermal-controlled valve means, a casin having a conduittherethrough, and a plura ity of outlets therefrom, a valve in theconduit, means to constantly urge the valve to closed position, adiaphragm in operative engagement with the valve, a fluid passage fromWithin the diaphragm to the outside of the casing, pipe connectionsbetween the fluid passage and means to provide a partial vacuumand athermal element having valve means to control the flow of'a fluidthrough said passage to operate the diaphragm and its valve.

15. In thermal-'controlled valve means. a casing having a conduit`therethrough, a valve disposed in the conduit, means to constantly urgethe valve to closed position, a diaphragm Within the casing and inoperative engagement With the valve, a fluid passage from Within thediaphragm to the outside of the casing. pipe connections between thefluid passage and a source of compressed air to operate the diaphragm,and a thermal element fixed at one end within the casing and having amovable part of a valve at the other end to control said passage.

16. In thermal-controlled valve means, a casing havin a conduittherethrough and a plurality o outlets therefrom, a valve disposed inthe conduit, means to constantly urge the valve to closed position, adiaphragm Within the casing and in operative engagement with the valve,a fluid passage from Within the diaphragm to the outside of the casing.pipe connections between the fluid passage and a'source of force tooperate the diaphragm and a thermal element fixed at one end within thecasing and having a movable member of a valve adjustably secured at theother end to pre-deter-` mine the degree of temperature at which thediaphragm is effective.

17. In thermal-controlled valve means, a casing'having a conduittherethrough, a

valve disposed inthe conduit, means to constantly urge the valve toclosed position, a diaphragmrwithin the casing and in operativeengagement Vwith the valve, a i

fluid p'assage from the diaphragm to the utside of the casing, pip'econnections between the fluid and a source of force to operate thediaphragm, a thermal fixed at one end within'the casing and having themovable member of a valve for said passage carried by the other end, anda sourde of force to operate the diaphragm.

18. In a device of-the class described, the combination of an enginehaving a cylinder and a cooling fluid chamber around the cylinder, meansfor supplying a cooling fluid to the chamber, a motor operable toregulate the temperature of the cooling Huid in the chamber, and anautomatic controller for regulating thc motive power supplied to themotor.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enginehaving a cylinder and a cooling fluid chamber around the cylinder, meansfor supplying a cooling fluid to the chamber, a thermostat energized bythe heat from the engine cylinder, a differentially energized motor forregulating the temperature of the cooling fluid in the chamber, and,means operated by the thermostat for controlling the energy supplied tothe differentially energized motor.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enginehaving a cylinder and a cooling fluid chamber around the cylinder, meansfor providing a cooling fluid to the chamber, and a plurality ofdifferentially operable motors for re ulating the temperature of thecooling uid in said chamber.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enginehaving a cylinder and a cooling fluid chamber around the cylinder, meansfor providing a cooling fluid to the chamber, a motor adapted to beenergized to regulate the temperature of the cooling fluid to thechamber, and an automatically operated valve for controlling theenergizing of the said motor. i

22, In a device of the class described, the combination of Van enginehaving a` cylinder and a cooling fluid chamber around the cylinder,means for providing a cooling fluid to the chamber, mechanism includinga motor adapted to be energized to operate the mechanism to regulate thctemperature of the coolingr fluid in the chamber, and an independentlyoperable thermostat for controlling the operation of the said motor.

23. In a device of the class described, the combination of an enginehaving a cylinder, a jacket spaced from the cylinder to form a coolingfluid chamber therebetween, means for supplying a cooling fluid to thechamber, and mechanism adapted to act at a predetermined temperaturewhen the engine is in operation to regulate the cooling fluid in thechamber, and adapted to `re-act independently of the temperature whenthe engine is stopped.

24. In a device of the class described, the combination of a coolingfluid duct, a valve therefor, a motor at one side of the valve foroperating th'e valve, and a thermostat at the other side of the valvefor controllin the operation of the motor.

25. In a` device of the class described, the combination of a coolingfluid duct, a valve therefor, a thermostat, and independently operablemechanism controlled by the thermostat for actuating the valve.

26. ln a device of the class' described, .the combination of an engineand its earbnreter, means for supplying a, cooling Huid tothe engine, athermostatic device for regulating thc temperature of the cooling fluid,and means cooperating with the said thermostatic device for regulatingthe fuel mixture supplied to the engine by the carbnreter.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination of an engine andits carbureter, a jacket for said engine for providing e cooling fluidchamber, means for supplying a cooling fluid to said chamber, athermostat for controlling the temperature of the' cooling Huid in thechamber, means for supplying an ingredient to be combined with the 'lnelmixture furnished by the carbureter, and means operated by saidthermostat to regulate the supply of said ingredient.

ln testimony whereof I aix my signature in the presence of a witness.

CHARLES L. `RAYFIELD. lVitness:

SCOTT M. HOGAN.

